Every Child Needs the HPV Vaccine. Adults Can Get It Too.

Words by Daniel Hirsch

 

Given that an estimated 85% of people will be infected with HPV (human papillomavirus) in their lifetime, and that symptoms generally clear up on their own — if they appear at all — it’s tempting to write off the infection as no big deal.

That would be a big mistake for two reasons. One, HPV can lead to several types of cancer — including that of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus, and throat. Two, HPV is preventable via a childhood vaccine administered to both girls and boys.

DAP Health and other experts recommend routine vaccination at as young as 9 years old. It’s a series of two shots before the age of 15, and a series of three shots if one starts at 15 or older.

I spoke with DAP Health Director of Pediatrics Dr. Jasmin Brown about HPV, its powerful vaccine, and why this is an issue every parent of young children should be aware of.

 

What is HPV?

HPV is an infection that causes warts in various parts of the body. In particular, the cervical or vaginal region, throat, penis, and anus. It can also be asymptomatic. So, you don’t have the warts but you have the virus, and you can still spread it. It’s sexually transmitted, spread through skin-to-skin contact.

One of the biggest things about HPV — and why vaccines are so important — is because once you have HPV, there’s no cure. We only have prevention.

 

What’s the link between HPV and cancer?

It’s estimated that every year in this country, more than 36,000 people are diagnosed with types of cancer caused by an HPV infection. Because we screen for cervical cancer in the United States, we have found over 196,000 cervical pre-cancers linked to HPV. While it’s important to find the pre-cancer before it becomes full-blown, treatments can limit a person’s ability to have children afterward.

 

But these infections are preventable. How long has this vaccine been around?

It became available in the United States in 2006, so a lot of the adults who accompany my pediatric patients didn’t get the vaccine as kids, and there’s hesitancy about this “new vaccination.” Over 135 million — and counting — doses of HPV vaccine have been given. This is by no means a new vaccination.

 

Has it been effective in curbing the spread of HPV and related cancers?

Absolutely. The CDC reports that for teenage girls, there’s been an 88% drop in HPV infection. Among adult women, infections with HPV types that typically cause cancers have dropped about 81%. The percentage of cervical pre-cancers caused by HPV has dropped by 40%. So, huge numbers. Important numbers.

 

Does the vaccine have any side effects?

Just like any vaccination, there can be pain or swelling at the injection site. To be honest, I really don’t see things like fevers, body aches, or pains from HPV vaccination. We do monitor for some dizziness or fainting immediately after the vaccination.

 

Who should get the HPV vaccine?

The most recent research shows younger people develop a more robust immune response which, in turn, means better protection for their future. So many — including we at DAP Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics — recommend vaccination at 9 years old, which is the earliest you can give it. The goal is to vaccinate kids before they become sexually active.

 

What do you tell hesitant parents who say, “My child isn’t having sex. We can wait on that particular vaccine”?

This vaccine is not important for people who are having sex. It’s important for people before they even have sex. As a pediatrician, I talk to patients by themselves all the time, and it’s a reality that children are becoming sexually active at younger ages, without their parents knowing. Waiting isn’t an option for this particular vaccine.

This is one of the few vaccinations we have that can protect against cancer. Cancer is rising at alarming rates in our world. I cannot argue enough for making parents aware that, yes, their kids might seem young for this vaccine, but it’s because we’re trying to protect them from something in their future. I have a 3-and-a-half-year-old too, and so I let parents know that if I encourage you to do something for your child, it’s because I’d do the same for mine.

 

Interested parents who have questions may talk to their DAP Health pediatrician. To schedule a child for vaccination, please call your DAP Health location to make a routine appointment with a nurse. Nothing more is needed.

But What If I’m an Adult Who Wants the HPV Vaccine?

 

The Efficacy of the HPV Vaccine for Sexually Active Adults

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before any exposure to the human papillomavirus, which is why it’s typically recommended for preteens. However, the vaccine can still provide benefits to sexually active adults, even if they may have already been exposed to HPV. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Protection Against Multiple Strains: The vaccine protects against multiple strains of HPV, including those most likely to cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Even if you’ve been exposed to one strain, the vaccine can still protect you against others.
2. Partial Immunity: If an adult has already been exposed to certain strains of HPV, the vaccine won’t treat an existing infection but can still offer protection against strains they haven’t encountered.
3. Reduced Risk of Cancer: Studies have shown that the HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of developing cervical and other HPV-related cancers in adults.

 

Insurance Coverage

In the United States, many insurance plans cover the HPV vaccine for adults up to age 26, and sometimes up to age 45, following updated guidelines.

1. Private Insurance: Most private health insurance plans cover the HPV vaccine without cost-sharing for individuals within the recommended age groups.
2. Medi-Cal: Medi-Cal covers it up to age 45.
3. Older Adults: For those older than the recommended age groups (up to 45), coverage might be less common and could require out-of-pocket payment.

 

Cost

If the HPV vaccine is not covered by insurance, the cost can be significant:

1. Per Dose: The HPV vaccine typically requires three doses. Each dose can cost between $200 and $250.
2. Total Cost: Without insurance, the total cost for the full series of three doses might range from $600 to $750.

 

If you’re considering getting the vaccine as an adult, it's a good idea to check with their insurance provider to confirm coverage and potential out-of-pocket expenses.